Press Release

Statement by U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez on the Arrest of Seventy Cuban Youth Seeking Freedom

WASHINGTON—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, Co-Chair of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, today released the following statement about the reports that seventy Cuban youth were arrested on Monday for wearing white wristbands with the word “Cambio”—Change:

“Last week President Bush emphasized the need for change in Cuba and reminded the international community that, ‘as with all totalitarian systems, Cuba's regime no doubt has other horrors still unknown to the rest of the world. Once revealed, they will shock the conscience of humanity.’

“Every day, I and thousands of others wear a white rubber bracelet with the word cambio, which is Spanish for ‘change.’ I wear it in solidarity with the people of Cuba, who for half a century have been repressed by a brutal dictator and who deserve a dramatic change.

“On Monday in Havana, 70 young people were arrested for wearing the same bracelet.

“Their unjustified detainment is exactly why Cuba needs change now. The arrest of these young people is the latest in a long line of tragedies in Cuba. The Cuban people deserve an end to these tragedies … they deserve change.”